Illinois to close U.S. 60/62 bridge on Jan. 11

The Illinois Department of Transportation will close the U.S. 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River to all traffic on Jan. 11.

In November, the 1920s’ era bridge was restricted to a 15-ton limit but too many violators forced the state to decide to close the structure for repairs, the department said. Fines of $560,000 have been levied against drivers using the unsafe bridge, the department said.

The department recommended using I-57 to cross the river in the area south of Cairo, Ill.